carolinacaniac

I agree with you beemer boy. It really was a bit of a lost opportunity on their part, The one ramp part is about the only skate boarding connection I saw with it (other than the cut outs of tony). If they really wanted to go for the skate board similar experience, they could have put in the half pipe element like Beemer Boy said, and also so strait elements to simulate the grind elements of skate boarding. Still will be a big hit though because of the name and the fact that you don't have to be 4ft plus to ride.

Well, I have been wrong before Robb. I just thought otherwise about the GG thing, but no one is always right Still looks like a great ride How far away is the place from downtown Houston? I see it is on the waterfront, but is it actually put of Houston or a nearby city?

I remember reading about this coaster I think on coasterbuzz. I don't think this is a Grvity Group coaster, and I have two reasons. First, The layout does not like like a gravity group coaster, but rather a GCI as some have already mentioned. Second, if you look at the last of the four pictures Jakizle had on his post, the train on the model screams Millennium Flyer to me. I would say someone mixed up the designer becuase of the simmilar initials. But I agree, It looks like an awesome ride regardless of who makes it! Count me in as one of those "I would have gone to Houston until they took down Astroworld, but now I wanna go agian!" people!

I don't really think Venice was in the plans, While it would be nice, I think me and my girlfriend have already come to the concensus that it will be pretty much a full rome trip (Besides Mirabilandia if we can make it happen). Thank for all of the input everyone, If you can verify how to get there by train/other mode of transportation, or you have any thoughts about Mirabilandia, let me know!

To answer your question about why I would go to an amusement park when in Italy, I have two reasons. 1) It would only be one day, the rest of the time we are planning on exploring rome up down and all around. We are going to visit the Vatican, the Coliseum, and a few museums. 2) I am a roller coaster junkie. My girlfriend has accepted this quality of me, and when I have a chance to go to a park to ride a coaster, I will go. Mirabilandia is a part or my parks to go to list, and honestly, I may never have another chance to go to the place. I would like to think I hit go to every park on my makeshift list, but I know that may not be possible. I can see why others would put off going to an amusement park in another country because they can go to a park at home, but I side more with those who would want to go to those parks in other countries because you want to know what that park has to offer! Also, Thanks for the idea Elissa, I am trying to avoid a rental can because i think i got it quoted at about $104 for an economy car for two days (day before and day after). That and I would not know if it would be difficult to navigate the italian roads due to my lack of knowledge in the language. If you think otherwise, let me know

In 2008, My girlfriend and I (we probably will be married by then) are talking about going out to Rome in late summer of 2008. One thing that I would like to do besides wonder around the city and see things like the Vatican, Museums, and others, I am hoping to take a day to go over to Mirabilandia. In all likly hood, we will not be getting a rental car, so what I am wanting to know is if there is a way to get to the park by train. I would also like to know in general how the park is and if it is worth the visit, or if there is another park in Italy that can be reached by train from Rome that would be better. Any help is appreciated!

I think though that while most people say that they only think of rides when it comes to Six Flags, This could be a big step to changing the outlook. Plus the way you look at a park depends on what you do there. When we went to Disneyland when I was 9, I only remeber rides, because we didn't see any shows there. But we also went to Knott's for a day, and I remember the rides (especially our 4 strait rides on Bigfoot Rapids at the end of the night), and one of the most lasting images in my head from the day at Knott's is the mystery lodge. I thought it was one of the neatest things I had seen to that point. While I agree that this show may not necessarily fit the Six Flags we know and......kind of like or kind of don't, but it can be a great ending for those who are tired from riding all day, and the parents who don't ride and their kids can enjoy this together. That and those of us who would rather do rides can taken advantage of smaller lines!

I never thought about the whole rubbing it in factor.........but then agian I probably should refrain since I know how irritated i was when my step-dad rubbed the steelers "handed-over" superbowl win over the good old seahawks. You think I could just use a passport and Driver's Licence instead of a birth cirtificate?

I think this park is awesome! I only wish I could do something as awesome with RCT (I only have 2, my computer would DIE if I tried 3 on it). I have an Idea for the Spongebob water park. Someone mentioned a lazy river with a few surprises called Squidward's Sunday or something to that extent. Some of the surprises that you could add in could be like Spongebob and Patrick spilling water on the peeps in different ways. It could also go through the aforementioned Krusty Krab Resturant and his Easter Island head home. Just an Idea Also, I love the Maximum Carniage coaster. Breat Layout!

I forgot to add in Carolina Crossroads for the Zippin Pippin opening if it is going to open in 2007. The parks that I listed that would be new for me are: Six Flags Over Georgia Dorney Park PNE Playland Hersheypark

Thanks for the info guys! I can't wait wo get back to good old Bremerton, and get a chance to ride the Coasters at PNE, as well as the coasters built at Wild Waves since I last went back in 99

I am curious to see where others are planning on going during the 2007 season. Although I have not made any "final" plans, this is what I have on the slate so far: Mid-Late March: Six Flags over Georgia Mid April: Carowinds (Picking up Maxx Pass) May: Dorney Park Early June: Michigan's Adventure/Cedar Point Late June: Busch Gardens Europe Around 4th of July: Wild Waves/Fun Forest/PNE Playland Early-Mid Aug: Hersheypark Labor Day Weekend: Kings Dominion

Looked like a good trip, The themeing was top notch I see I hope to get down there around opening weekend/early april for the first time.

I am all for the starliner being rebuilt! If CG can get it togeather and rebuild the ride as well, then more power to them, plus another credit for me to shoot for whenever I get to CG

Here is my list: Wild Waves and Enchanted Village Fun Forest Puyallup Fair Disneyland Knott's Berry Farm Cedar Point Camp Snoopy Kings Dominion Busch Gardens Europe Universal Studios Florida Universal Islands of Adventure Kings Island Jeepers! (In Concord Mills) Carowinds Geauga Lake Conneaut Lake Waldameer Park Kennywood Michigan's Adventure Six Flags America Six Flags Great Adventure Myrtle Beach Grand Prix Myrtle Beach Pavilion Family Kingdom Knoebels

I may be going back to my old home town of Bremerton, WA next summer around the 4th of July with my girlfriend. While there I wanna hit the Fun Forest, Wild Waves, and PNE Playland in Vacouver. There is one thing I wanted to know about going into Canada, and that is if it would be possible for me and my girlfriend to cross the boarder and back with a vehicle that is not ours (i.e. a rental or my dad's truck or my grandma's car). I also wanted to know if it is now required that you have passports to go into and back out of Canada, or is that something that is being changed later/not being changed? I appreciate anyone's input!

I can't wait till it opens! I can finally sit at home, and think to myself "I need a coaster ride!" and actually get in my car, go ride ZP and be home within a few hours! This is great for the region, especially since the carolinas just lost two parks (Pavilion and Grand Prix). Who wants to join me for the opening of this one!? Verticalzero - According to Mapquest it is about 812 miles, which makes sence since it has to go from western TN to Eastern NC

Good report! Looked like you had spent more time than I did there, I arrived around 3-4 in the afternoon, but it was still a good time. I think next year if I go I am gonna get the books of tickets in advance, I paid out the a$$ since i got them there.

The one time I had been to Concord Mills, I ate at the BBQ place, I thought the beef sandwhich was pretty good! So when did jeepers close? I had gotten my credit last year in March the day before going to Carowinds for the first time. I dunno what others would say, but I would coun't it as a ptr! By the way, My step-dad is a big Gonzaga fan, so I know all about Adam Morrison

Sounds like a cool trip, I would be up for it since the three parks are are fun to visit. The problem is that I am going to Michigan the week before with my girlfriend for her brother's high school graduation, and I don't think I could really justify going on week long trips consecutively to my manager. Although I am thinking about heading down to SFOG in mid-March, and it is possible that I may be flying solo, so if you are interested in meeting upthere or catching a ride, who knows?...... That goes for anyone else too, cause I need to be around some coaster nerds too!!!

I'll give you kudos for being there when they won it, that is just awesome! But my buddy Al still has one on me. Because of the stage they have at Mendenhall at ECU, they don't have a ramp or elevator for wheelchair access, so the guy from the Hall of Fame that was escorting the cup brought it down for him to hold while I took the picture for him. As for the fair, I have been to the Puyallup fair in Washington (Born and raised in Seattle till I was 8, then Bremerton till 1999), and it was a lot more organized, and I think there was more to do besides the rides. The NC fair just seemed to be too crowded and there were way too many food stands. It was kind of like if food stands could make a suburban area, then that would have been it.

Hey everyone, Gary here, on monday I was off from class (fall break) and work, and since I had yet to go to the North Carolina State Fair since I moved here in 1999, I thought I would go check it out. I would have taken my girlfriend Melissa, but she had to work all night, so I asked my friend Ted if he wanted to tag along. I think he may be regreting it by now, but at least it was a good time to be had! This is the first time I have done a photo trip report so let me know what you think!! 49_fireworks7.bmp And that wraps up this trip report, hope you all enjoyed!! 48_fireworks6.bmp So they aren't as extravagant as Disney, but it was still fun to watch. 47_fireworks5.bmp AHHHHHHHHHHH 46_fireworks4.bmp OOOOOOOOOOO 45_fireworks3.bmp AHHHHHHH 44_fireworks2.bmp OOOOOOOOO 43_fireworks1.bmp Even though it may seem like this was done for the sheep above, it is done every night at the fair. 42_sheepsex.bmp I have no other way to describe this moment. 41_tedandsheep.bmp Buffalo Ted here was about two seconds away from putting a new meaning into the term "Silence of the lambs." 40_Sheeppoundit.bmp This sheep also wanted to Pount It!!! 39_KKKsheep.bmp Sheep: "THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN!" Gary: "Uhhhh, sure it will" 38_carcover.bmp Well, if this were going to be a new ride, at least they were doing a better job hiding it than a certain park in Ohio! 37_avebrakes.bmp Interesting how advanced these traveling carnie rides can be, I almost thought I was riding Millennium Force!!! Ok, maybe not. 36_Tedonave.bmp Ted approves of Avalanche the second time around 35_pushupguy.bmp I should have been right next to him doing the same thing to work off that fried twinkie 34_garyeattwinkie.bmp If you know someone who would not approve of this item of eating, send him an e-mail! 33_thetwinkie.bmp ....and for whatever reason I decided I must try one 32_twinkiesign.bmp Well, I had heard of these before, but only thought it was a legend, but I soon discovered that it was true! 31_orientexpress2.bmp Dragon: "I am sick of these stupid adults who want to ride me, maybe I can get ride of him by making him crash into my Castle!" 30_orientexpress.bmp Credit #4: Orient Express, this is when Ted finally understood how odd we coaster fanatics can be! 29_garyworm.bmp Credit #3: Wacky Worm 2, and I seem way to damn excited to be getting on this thing! 28_Dortonfountain.bmp This is the fountain in front of Dorton Arena, where the concerts of the fair are held. 27_parkinglotcoaster.bmp So the state fair has a parking lot coaster too! 26_avelift.bmp Another lift hill shot for those enthusiasts! 25_avalanche.bmp Credit #3: Avelanche, well, actually, it isn't, because they had this coaster at the Pitt County Fair in Greenville last year, and I already rode it, but still a fun ride 24_garywinky.bmp If people thought that Tinky Winky was gay before.........(Sorry Melissa, I couln't help it! I had to be Gary Winky!) 23_canepoke.bmp Well, uh....... I guess if you poke a woman in the butt with a cane, she starts to dance with excitement 22_garymouse.bmp Maybe I was a little too happy about getting the lift hill shot! 21_mouselift.bmp YES! Some good old lift hill footage for the lift hill enthusiasts! 20_crazymouse.bmp Credit #2: The Crazy Mouse, the thought that this may be the mouse from the Myrtle Beach Grand Prix came to mind, but I figured that this was probably not the same, since it is featured on Amusements of America's website. if it was the same one though, th 19_squirrel.bmp I suppose this would not be an Elissa approved rodent? He didn't even get the blue ribbon 18_midway2.bmp Another one of the midways 17_midway1.bmp A veiw of one midway from one of the ferris wheels, this is where I had discovered that there was a second wacky worm. 16_wackyworm1.bmp Credit #1: Wacky Worm 1......yes, I said wacky worm one. The NC state fair is weird because they have multiple amusement companies on the midway, so they end up having multiples of the same ride, like 4 ferris wheels, three swing and spin rides, and two w 15_heffalumpkin.bmp But it looks like the Winnie the Pooh ride is on another table, oh well, maybe there are some rides to catch on the Midway 14_disneypumpkins.bmp Who knew that at the NC State Fair, you could have DCA, Fantasy Land and New Orleans Square all within inches of each other...and in pumpkin form no less! 13_littledonkey.bmp The next TPR mascot? you be the judge! 12_littlecow.bmp He didn't seem too happy that his home would soon be below a set of golden arches. 11_pigglets.bmp Members of the Future Breakfast-Side Dishes Club 10_goatpound.bmp This is a tribute to one of the TPR regulars, as this goat wanted to pound it! 09_meatchart.bmp So I guess if I wanted to pick one of the cows in the cow barn here and try to make a fresh steak out of it right there, then this sign would be handy 08_bigcow.bmp Oh yeah, he was a big boy! I think he was about another foot or two longer than I am tall. 07_cowline.bmp I thought all the cows were trying to pose for a picture, but it turns out they were all dreaming about this hunk of meat........ 06_littlehorse.bmp Gary: "I have seen smaller!" Ted: "I'll bet Melissa hasn't told you that before" 05_smallhorse.bmp I normally don't really buy into these goofy little "freak show" attractions, but Ted and I went for it anyway. 04_poopguy.bmp At the entrance of the fair, they have a sign that warns you not to get to close to the animals, otherwise they will poo all over you! 03_brindamourlog.bmp A nice memory, our good old Carolina Hurricanes winning the Cup! I actually got to see the real Stanley Cup when they brought it here to Greenville a week or two ago. It you wanna see the pic, let me know! 02_eatgoat.bmp Although the chicken may like the sign, I am not sure that I would go for that one. 01_StateTruck.bmp Come one, come all, to the North Carolina State Fair!!

Good point, at RDU that is another 60 bucks for the 10 days!

Anyone here think they would just drive to Cincinnati for the Midwest Trip? The way I see it, from here in Eastern North Carolina to Cincinnati is about 610 miles, or around 10 hours, so round trip would be about 1220 miles, so if my car gets about 35 mpg, that would be around 35 Gallons, and for laughters sake we will say gas around then may be around $3.20, so then it would be about $112. Now if I were to fly out of Raleigh to Cincinnati, it would be about $285 (which is the cheapest I have found so far). Not to mention that if I bring someone along, gas money can be split. Personally, I am all for taking a nice little trip to the Queen city on the road

I'm all up for the Midwest Tour and If I could afford it the spain/italy tour. I have only been to Cedar Point (former ride host) and Kings Island, and have not ventured off of North America (only been to Canada and Mexico once each, so Spain and Italy would be a great adventure).